Paper-I: Mechanics, waves and oscillations

List of Important Questions

UNIT-I
Vector Analysis
Essay Questions
1. What is divergence of a vector field and obtain expression for the divergence of a
vector. Give its significance. Define the line integral, surface integral and volume
integral of a vector quantity. State and prove Gauss divergence theorem.
2. What is curl of a vector field derive an expression for curl of a vector. Give its
physical significance.
3. State and prove Stokes theorem. By Stokes theorem, prove that the curl of gradient
of scalar function is zero.

Short Answer Questions

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State and prove Greens theorem.

Define gradient of a scalar field. Explain its physical significance.
Explain the physical significance of a curl.
Explain the terms line integral, surface integral and volume integral.
Explain the different types of vector fields with examples.

Problems
1. If F=2xi+5yj+6zk, using Gauss divergence theorem, show that

Mechanics of Particles
Essay Questions
1. Describe the motion of a variable mass system and derive the equation for the velocity
of a rocket under the influence of gravitational field.
2. Define the terms impact parameter and scattering cross section. Derive an expression
for Rutherfords scattering angle.
3. What are elastic and inelastic collisions. Derive an expression for the scattering cross
section in the case of alpha particles striking the gold foil in Rutherford scattering
experiment.

Short Answer Questions

1. Explain the terms impact parameter and scattering cross section
2. Derive the expression for the velocity of rocket at any time, treating it as a variable
mass system.
3. Distinguish between elastic and inelastic collisions with examples.
4. Explain the principle of multistage rocket.

Problems

Mechanics of Rigid Bodies

Essay Questions
1. Define the terms Rigid body and Moment of Inertia. Obtain Eulers equation of
motion of a rigid body. Deduce the law of conservation of energy and angular
momentum from Eulers equations.
2. Explain the precession of symmetric top. Obtain an expression for its torque.
3. What is meant by rigid body? Obtain an expression for the motion of a rigid body
rotating about the axis of symmetry.
4. Define radius of gyration .Derive the expression for the kinetic energy of a rotating
body. State and prove work energy theorem in rotational motion.

Short Answer Questions

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Write a note on Inertia tensor.

Write briefly about gyroscope.
Deduce conservation of angular momentum from Eulers equations.
Explain the principle of gyroscope and its uses.
Obtain the equation of for a rotating body.

Problems
UNIT-II
Mechanics of Continuous media
Essay Questions
1. Explain the types of beams and types of bending. Derive an expression for the
depression of the free end of a cantilever fined at one end and loaded at the free end.
2. Explain the uniform and non-uniform bending of beams. Express Poissons ratio in
terms of the elastic modulii Y, n and k. What are the limits of Poissons ratio?

Short Answer Questions

1. Obtain the relation (Y/3k) +(Y/n) =3, where Y is Youngs modulus, k is Bulk modulus
and n is rigidity modulus.
2. Define Poissons ratio. Discuss its limiting values.
3. Define and explain the three elastic modulii.
4. Give a brief account of the classification of beams.

Problems

Central forces
Essay Questions
1. Solve the equation of motion of a particle in an inverse square force field. Derive
Keplers laws.
2. What is central force? Derive the equation of motion of a particle under the action of
central force.
3. State and prove Keplers laws of planetary motion. Derive the condition under which
the path of a planet around the sun is an ellipse.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are central forces? Give three examples. Show that central forces are
conservative.
2. What is a central force? Deduce the relation between a conservative force and the
potential energy.
3. State Keplers second law and show that the real velocity of the planet remains
constant.
4. Write a short note on Coriolis force.

Problems
Special Theory of Relativity
Essay Questions
1. What is Ether hypothesis? Describe Michelson Morley experiment and discuss the
significance of the results. (Explain the negative result).
2. What is frame of reference? Derive Lorentz transformation equations.
3. State and explain Einsteins postulates of the special theory of relativity and deduce
mass-energy theorem.

Short Answer Questions

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Explain length contraction and time delation.

Deduce mass-energy equivalence relationship.
State Lorentz transformation equations and inverse Lorentz transformation equations.
Explain length contraction and time delation.
Explain the concept of four vector formalism.
Derive the energy momentum relation based on the special theory of relativity.

Problems

UNIT-III

Fundamentals of Vibrations
Essay Questions
1. Explain the physical characteristics of simple harmonic motion. Describe the equation
of motion for a simple harmonic oscillator and obtain its solution. Show that the total
energy of the oscillator is proportional to the square of the amplitude.
2. Discuss the linear combination of two mutually perpendicular simple harmonic
vibrations of different frequencies.
3. Define Lissajous figures. Discuss the effect of combining simple harmonic motions of
same frequencies acting at right angles to each other.

Short Answer Questions

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Explain Lissajous Figures.

Derive the equation for time period of a torsional pendulum.
Derive an expression for vibration energy of an oscillator.
Explain the physical characteristics of simple harmonic motion.
Derive the expression for the frequency of vibration of a spring taking its mass into
consideration.

Problems
Damped and Forced Oscillations
Essay Questions
1. Distinguish between damped and un damped vibrations of a simple oscillator. Obtain
the differential equation and discuss the solution under different conditions. Discuss
its energy considerations and logarithmic decrement in amplitude.
2. What are forced vibrations? Setup the equation of motion for a forced oscillator and
discuss its solution. Obtain an expression for the amplitude of forced vibrations and
deduce the condition for resonance.

Short Answer Questions

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What is Quality factor? Discuss its importance.

Write a short note on Amplitude resonance.
What is transverse impedance?
Explain the terms logarithmic decrement and relaxation time. How to correct the
logarithmic decrement.
5. Explain the terms resonance, sharpness of resonance and quality factor.
6. Explain how the sharpness of resonance is affected by quality factor (Q-factor).

Problems

Complex Vibrations

Essay Questions
1. Explain how Fourier theorem can be used for analysis of a complex wave. Analyse a
saw-tooth wave using Fourier theorem.
2. State Fourier theorem and evaluate the Fourier coefficients. Using Fourier theorem
analyse a triangular wave.
3. State Fouriers theorem. What are its limitations? Find the Fourier series for the
function of (t) denoted by
Y = +a when 0<t<T/2
and y = -a when T/2<t<T

Short Answer Questions

1. State the conditions under which Fourier theorem is applicable.

Problems
UNIT-IV
Vibration of Bars
Essay Questions
1. Find the equation of motion for a longitudinal wave in a bar. Discuss its solution in
different cases as given below.
(i)
When both ends are free
(ii)
When one end is fixed
2. Derive the transverse wave equation in a bar. Derive the general solution for the
transverse wave equation in a bar.
3. Discuss the transverse vibrations in a bar free at both ends (free-free bar).

Short Answer Questions

1. Discuss the vibrations of a tuning fork.
2. Discuss briefly the longitudinal modes of vibration of a bar clamped at the centre.
3. Compare between longitudinal and transverse vibrations in a bar.

Problems

Vibrating Strings
Essay Questions

1. What are transverse waves? Obtain the equation for the frequency of vibration in a
stretched string. What are fundamental frequency and overtones? (Discuss the modes
of vibration of stretched string clamped at both ends.)
2. Discuss the energy transport in the strings and obtain an expression for energy
density.

Short Answer Questions

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State the laws of transverse vibrations of a string.

Distinguish between the harmonics and overtones.
Obtain an expression for the energy density of a wave travelling along a string.
Distinguish between progressive and stationary waves.

Problems

Ultrasonics
Essay Questions
1. Describe the Sears method of finding the velocity of Ultrasonics in liquids. Mention
different applications of ultrasonics.
2. What are ultrasonic and infrasonic waves? Describe how ultrasonic waves are
produced by piezoelectric and magnetostriction method.

Short Answer Questions

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Write any ofour applications of ultrasonics.

Explain a method of producing ultrasonics.
Explain SONAR and its uses.
Define the terms Magnetostriction and Piezoelectric effect
Explain any four methods of detection of ultrasonic waves.

Problems